Get ready for some football, Prince George.
After travelling south during the first four weeks of their inaugural season in the British Columbia Football Conference, juvenile tier 2 division, the Prince George Northern Eagles will finally have home field advantage when they host the North Delta Longhorns at Masich Place Stadium, Sunday at 11 a.m.
Barb Bellamy, Northern Eagles team manager, said with only 24 players the Eagles have worked hard to stay competitive with the other three teams in the league, having produced a 1-3 record so far.
"We have some really dedicated kids. This is what football is about," Bellamy said. "They'll take the time off work, they'll travel and do absolutely anything for an awesome sport. We have a smaller team this year but we're only going to grow from here."
The maximum number of players a team in the BCFC can have on it's roster is 45. Because the Northern Eagles didn't find out until January they were accepted into the league, which began play in April, they didn't have a lot of time for recruitment. Players eligible for the juvenile tier 2 league, which is a level below the Canadian Junior Football League junior A program, need to have completed their Grade 12 year of high school eligibility. Each team is allowed six 21-year-old players.
Despite the small roster of players this season, the Northern Eagles have a wealth of experience with four players, Brennan Adrian, quarterback Tyson Plain, Ryan Gallo and Duncan Sinch, having played some junior A football with the Chilliwack Huskers.
Bellamy's sons Ryan and Jamie are both involved with the Northern Eagles as well. Ryan coaches the team and was instrumental in helping bring juvenile football to Prince George.
"Since Ryan finished junior football when he was 21, he's 29 now, he's always wanted some form of junior football in Prince George," said Bellamy. "He's tried absolutely everything and the door opened this year and we're running with it and not letting it go."
Meanwhile, Jamie will play for the Northern Eagles as a 21-year-old this weekend. Both of Bellamy's sons played junior A football in Nanaimo. Jamie is currently playing junior B lacrosse for the Delta Islanders.
"The Longhorns are actually bringing him home on their bus so he can play on Sunday," said Bellamy. "That's the kind of camaraderie that the teams have amongst each other. It's not a big deal to throw the other team's player on the bus. So far this year other teams have been wonderful to work with."
Bellamy said there's a small, but dedicated, group helping gather sponsors for the Northern Eagles and making sure the players are taken care of on the road. The Prince George Spruce Kings have loaned their team bus to the Eagles for road trips while the Duchess Park Condors football team will handle security issues at the team's home games Sunday and on May 26.
The other teams in the tier 2 league are the defending champion Longhorns, the South Delta Rams and the Richmond Raiders. On May 26 the Northern Eagles host the Rams in the final regular season game. Playoffs begin June 2 with the semifinals in Richmond. The championship game will be played June 16.
Admission for Sunday's game against the Longhorns is $2 at the Masich Place Stadium gate. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
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